10-7-2023 (MOSCOW) The Kremlin confirmed on Monday (Jul 10) that Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of the Wagner mercenary group, on June 29. This encounter took place just five days after the group staged a short-lived rebellion, marching towards Moscow.
According to Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, Putin invited 35 individuals to the meeting, including unit commanders, and the discussion lasted for three hours. During the meeting, the Wagner commanders pledged their loyalty to Putin, stating that they were his soldiers and would continue to fight on his behalf.
The brief mutiny, led by Prigozhin, saw Wagner fighters briefly seize control of the southern city of Rostov, presenting Putin with a significant challenge to his grip on power. However, the situation was swiftly resolved through a deal brokered by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko. Putin expressed gratitude to the Russian army and security services for preventing chaos and civil war.
Prigozhin has clarified that the mutiny was not aimed at overthrowing the government but rather intended to hold the army and defense chiefs accountable for what he perceived as their mistakes and unprofessional actions in Ukraine.
Under the terms of the agreement, Prigozhin was supposed to leave for Belarus. However, last week Lukashenko revealed that Prigozhin had returned to Russia, raising questions about the implementation of the relocation offer for Wagner fighters in Belarus.
